INDIANAPOLIS and PERTH, Australia, July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Dow AgroSciences LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) , and NemGenix, a Perth based biotechnology company, announced today a newly established collaboration agreement to pursue novel technologies to produce nematode-resistant crops.

The collaboration will support a number of full-time researchers at NemGenix's facilities in Perth. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"This exciting collaboration capitalizes on the strengths of both Dow AgroSciences and NemGenix to develop next-generation technology to help combat parasitic nematodes, which plague millions of crop acres across the globe," said Daniel R. Kittle, Ph.D., vice president of R&D for Dow AgroSciences. "Dow AgroSciences is continuously exploring and leveraging enabling technologies -- such as those from NemGenix -- to provide new crop protection solutions that benefit growers around the world."

Sean Hird, Ph.D., chief executive officer of NemGenix, said, "This multi-year collaboration is a key milestone in our corporate development and underscores our growing reputation as one of Australia's most exciting new biotechnology companies. Our research team is excited to have the opportunity to build on our expertise in nematode control with the strength and capabilities of a partner such as Dow AgroSciences."

About NemGenix

NemGenix is a privately held agricultural biotechnology company based at the Western Australia State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre in Perth. The company's focus is the research and development of new controls for plant parasitic nematodes. These endemic soil borne pathogens are estimated to cause $15bn of crop damage worldwide with losses of more than 15 percent in some crops, such as sugar cane. The company is currently funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training to undertake the development of nematode resistant wheat. See www.nemgenix.com.

About Dow AgroSciences

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a top-tier agricultural company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. Dow AgroSciences provides innovative technologies for crop protection, pest and vegetation management, seeds, traits, and agricultural biotechnology to serve the world's growing population. Global sales for Dow AgroSciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, are $4.5 billion. Learn more at www.dowagro.com.